A Eureka man is facing sexual assault charges against a youth following an investigation by the Eureka Police Department.

Russell Scott Brauer, 38, is being held on $250,000 bail in the Lincoln County Detention Center. He is charged with sexual assault, victim under 16, offender three or more years older or in the alternative, sexual intercourse without consent, victim under 16 years of age.

Brauer was scheduled to be arraigned on the charges Monday, March 24, in Lincoln County District Court. 

According to the affidavit of probable cause filed by Lincoln County Attorney Marcia Boris, the alleged victim, described as “John Doe” and his mother told Eureka police officer Grigori Neils he was sexually assaulted by Brauer. The person said the sexual assault had begun about four years ago in 2020 and continued until a year ago.

The alleged victim said he met Brauer through the suspect’s relative. When officer Neils questioned the person about any sexual advances, he said he realized Brauer was grooming him since they met, the court document said. The alleged victim said Brauer’s actions have taken a huge mental toll on him.

“Doe” then described the first incident, which began with a conversation in Brauer’s truck where he, the accused and the relative sat. Brauer allegedly said, “I don’t know if I should tell you this, but I feel like I should wait until your (sic) 18 to talk to you about this.”

When “Doe” asked Brauer what he meant, Brauer asked his relative to leave the truck. “Doe” said Brauer told him he liked him. “Doe” said he had a sleepover at Brauer’s residence with the man’s relative. The accused allegedly told his relative to sleep in the living room. “Doe” became emotional and said he was in Brauer’s room when the defendant took off his clothes and told “Doe” to take off his clothes. 

According to the charging document, Brauer and “Doe” performed sexual acts on each other while Brauer allegedly told “Doe” it was OK, that it was normal and it was nothing to worry about.

“Doe” said the abuse continued to late 2023 or early 2024. He recounted other instances of abuse, both at Brauer’s home and on a camping trip. When officer Neils asked “Doe” if Brauer brought him anything to keep him around, the alleged victim said the accused bought him vapes in the form of payment to perform acts on him.

“Doe” also said Brauer got him hooked on nicotine and he realized that was what Brauer lured him in with in order to keep the relationship going. “Doe” also told the officer he told Brauer he was scared on multiple occasions, didn’t want to perform any of those acts, but Brauer still manipulated him into it.

After more questioning, “Doe” said Brauer told him that if he ever told anyone about this, Brauer said he would kill himself, court documents said.

According to the Montana Sexual or Violent Offender Registry, Brauer is listed following a conviction in 2004 for sexual assault. Brauer was a juvenile at the time. He does not have a tier level designation.

A conviction for either offense may result in a minimum state prison term of four years and a maximum of 100 years or life.